New Forum in the works!

[laughingbird]

Greetings and Happy New Year forum members!

I wanted to let you know about a few changes I have in store here for The Laughingbird Software forum.

With the welcome of the forums' 13,000th member ... Its time to open up the forum to more helpful topics and networking abilities!

We've decided to change the name of the forum to:
"The Small Business Design Network"

This name change will take effect sometime in February 2008, after the new look and feel of the forum has been completed. The forum will contain new features such as a social networking system that will allow you to find designers and bid on new jobs - as well as make new friends to network with.

The updated forum will focus on it's current topics, and will also focus on getting your small business looking and feeling more professional, getting more traffic to your site and creating new ways for you to keep your visitors coming back to your site.

We'll focus on SEO (Search Engine Marketing), site design, and we'll have articles on some great technology like Joomla (http://www.joomla.org). Joomla is the next wave in web site development.

I'd like your thoughts and suggestions.
If you have any ideas, or a 'wish list' of topics you'd like to see - please post them below!

Here's wishing you a great 2008!
Thanks again for being a part of The Laughingbird Software community!

- Marc

Marc Sylvester
Laughingbird Software

[wacki56]

.....Looking forward to the "Change(s)". Sounds like a step in the 'right' direction.........or at least a new one. Congrats' on this new phase in LB

Bill

[daredd]

Joomla

Hmmm
It's going to be tough.

There are 4 to 5 Joomla sources online, that have hack codes written in, designed to compromise non secure servers and sites.

The script kiddies have been busy.

Joomla was removed from our servers, and permanently from our cPanel (fantastico deluxe) accounts Nov 2007 as a result.

Good luck though.

[KidPastor]

It sounds like a change for the better! I've been using Joomla for a while now and it's an excellent way to set up a site. I look forward to the discussions!

KP

[Syrus XL]

Joomla does have a reputation for being insecure... Only last month a friend of mine was running a business and using Joomla on the front-end, needless to say it was 'defaced' as in most cases. I wouldn't install Joomla on my server, even a clean version is not safe from the security holes, using silly 'kiddie scripts' that anyone can pickup. It's not really hacking as such, since these scripts are available from 'underground' sources. There are a number of scripts that are always being attacked, a majority of them are free - hence why they are attacked so often on a large scale.

Joomla is well-known for its rewrite rules, which is why 'script kiddies' find them so easy, hiding copyright info on Joomla doesn't work since they search for specific words in the rewirte url.

I used to use free scripts, but not anymore...unless you know someone that can secure the script for you.

[Rick67]

This is a logo software website and the main and only product that I have see is logo creation software. So I am confused on why you are branching out into these unrelated topics.

On the other hand, I do use Joomla and will be able to benefit from the Joomla discussion.

As for Joomla security, please check the Joomla.org website for the latest version and their webpage on security. Like any other website, one needs to pay attention to security issues and if that is not done, one is left open to hacking.

Rick

[jayf1965]

Hello all,

I am a noob to all this, but I can't wait to learn and gain the knowledge here i need. However i have used php several times and most of my limited experiences are from Ravens PHP scripts site and a few others.

I also remember the issues with fantastico and some of the security flaws. I am quite sure that they have made some improvements since i last used it in 2006. I am sure that Marc and his crew will pull this off with a bang!!

I say bring it on...I can't wait.
jayf1965

[daredd]

I can see where Marc is going with this. It's a good direction.
Awareness of a product or a service is the order of the day online. And if using a CMS is what it takes to get it done, then so be it. But there are other CMS apps out there that are so much more secure.

Even in spite of the issues with regard to Joomla though, I'm sure he'll do alright.

He may also consider looking into WordPress. I know, it's free too, but it isn't full of holes like the Joomla is, and, you can do some pretty neat stuff with the xhtml and web the 2.0 that WordPress grasps.

Just a thought.

[laughingbird]

Excellent.

WordPress is also a great topic idea. I've been working with it for some time now, trying to get my feet wet with it.

These are all the types of topics I'd like to put up on the new board.

Flash is a big one as well.

Rick67, you mention above that you're curious as to why I'm opening up the forum to more than just logo design topics.

In a word: Expansion. :)

Joomla, Flash, Wordpress, Job requests, Jobs wanted, Search Engine marketing and designing for your customers are all topics I'm highly interested in learning more about.

Creative ideas in getting your site noticed are hard to find out there. For example; did you know that tagging your images so that Google picks them up and puts them into their Google image database is also great for your rankings? -- Check this out (http://images.google.com/images?q=logo+creator&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi). I'm sure others would love to know this technique!

With over 13,000 members, I'm sure we can get a great community going with it all.

[Laurenv]

I think this idea is excellent.. a step in the right direction to me. If possible it would be nice to see a blog on the site, especially anyone who has a small business and would like to share their knowledge of business management, brand management importance, etc.. It would be a good way to share knowledge and also those people who own graphic design business would be in direct contact with potential costumers. Besides, I'm always reading blogs to find out others perspective on business start-ups and stuff, so I will definetly read one in the forum if its started. But nontheless..I'm typing too much.. Good ideas..keep it up!

[webgranny]

I have a desire to learn more about Joomla. So much on the forum is, frankly, over my head, though my friends who use it say it is really easy.

I also would like to work more with WordPress. I have done some, but not enough.

Thank you for the ideas, please don't let it happen at the expense of the Logo software, though.

[badman3670]

I think it i also a great idea where marc is going. i have made graphics with logo creator to make a wrap for a mini van in south africa.

if it gives us more exposure plus some business i am all for it.
also those that need more info on business practices can shoot me an pm and i will be more than happy to help you out. i have been in business for more than 7 years now.

i would like to pick up the slack in the winter months and this may be the way to do it.

a section for jobs needing done for profit would be great. have a great one all.:image28:

[Randy...]

Wow --- great feedback and conversation!

I see alot of good excitement amongst the members here on how to further make their business ventures a success. Don't ya thing Marc? There is certainly a buzz going on in the forum. Awesome!!

I think the changes in store will be good for everyone. With over 13,000 members here, we know that there is a wealth of knowledge that can be tapped into. I'm positive there are members that may only visit now that can add a huge amount of personal experience know-how within our new topics.

Keep watching and coming back -- I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised!

[Randy...]

I hope you guys don't waste all this Joomla knowledge before the new forum is up and running! hahahaha :)

[Wicked]

Yes guys i think a few people have gotten off track of the topic.. This topic is not really for joomla but rather suggestion you may have that you would like to see included as a topic in the new business section of the forum..

But the joomla conversation serves a good purpose though. Already you can see how such an expansion would help everyone.. For those who know nothing about joomla like myself reads these post above and figures maybe I do not want to go with Joomla as a serious business platform...

Perhaps we could add OsCommerce to our business section... I think it will be important to also note to the users Marc that the topics will not be considered as support for any CMS but rather a pros and cons/ discussions type of deal. I think people should know that going to the script author's support website will be the best way for them to get technical help with installation and sorts..

[JWKessler]

I create web sites for small mom & pop type businesses. These folks have low budgets and tend to have limited sales. Typical examples are a lady who makes mustard in her kitchen, a maple syrup producer, a women who makes soap products in her basement and a guy who carves goose eggs into art. They typically sell their products at art and craft fairs and county fairs in the summer months but would like to branch out a bit further.

One common problem I have is getting these folks set up with affordable (no cost is good) e-commerce solutions. Most of these folks can accept credit card orders by phone, and for them Mal's e-commerce is a terrific option. Something more is needed for clients who can't take credit card orders however. I've used Pay Pal for this but find their system to be confusing to set up and hard to test.

It would be nice to have a friendly forum to bounce questions on this topic off. Perhaps an e-commerce topic would be appropriate here?

[Syrus XL]

I use the Subdreamer CMS, and I take orders through Paypal.

You can test most scripts through Paypal using there 'sandbox', which is aimed at developers. I find it simple to setup and test scripts with Paypal IPN (Instant Payment Notification).

[Robert_R]

I use Joomla! so I'm lokking forward to that forum very much. :image28:

[Borpean]

very nice Lamo one!!

[homesight]

the bronze or gold color is sharp. I personally like the first one,,, but i think it needs a bit more color on the top and bottom gradient.

[Syrus XL]

I agree with homesight, the first design looks better. But personally I would have gone for a Web 2.0 feel, which seems to be all the rage these days. I would also change the gradients, if a 'bronze' color was meant to be used.

[AaronH]

There's lots of information about using Logo Creator and Web Graphics Creator for (obviously!) logos and web graphics. But I end up using these products when creating supporting graphics for my customers inside the ebooks and sales manuals that I write for them.

When I read about the change of the forum to SBDN, I thought I would be most interested in learning about ways to develop strong in-document supporting graphics. For example: I'd like to learn how to create and improve simple graphs and charts, graphical explanations of concepts, and flowcharts.

-Aaron

[homesight]

Aaron,

Welcome! Great idea you have written. I'm sure many professionals would love to learn how to take their graphs and charts to the next level. Maybe we could develop a professional presentation tutorial section... We'll add it to the list and if anyone has more imput please advise...

Thanks,
Ryan.

[aseibt]

This is good news Marc. I'll look forward to future postings on the topics you mentioned. I could use some training.

[Wicked]

I had a recommendation. Not sure where this is gonna go as I start typing but here is my beginning. I think in the future you will see some video tutorials start popping up on how to do certain tasks. Not just with the software but with many business aspects of the new forum. I love making these demonstrations for people as I have in the past (but not to general public yet sorry) but the fact is they are quite time consuming to make... I think they benefit and hone in on many peoples way of learning. Visual instruction is always easier than reading some black and white text. I stay very busy even more so with my currently life changes. I love to volunteer my time as much as I can for anyone who needs help with something I know about. What I am getting at though is perhaps we do a little brainstorming to offer some incentive for those who have taken the extra effort to offer such a learning tool as visual tutorial rather it be images or video.

I understand people can not really charge for their created tutorials because thats not what a forum is all about really and as well lets face it some of the tutorials *cough cough* just might not be that great. I would not want to pay to figure that out. Just to get the ball rolling on the thought of motivating others to put together these nice presentations for one another we could start by offering those people who have taken the extra effort to have a special tag showing the community that they have went above and beyond on sharing their business knowledge through an intriguing tutorial. We could start allowing users to carry numerous tags to publicly compensate them for their accomplishments and contributions to the community.

What does everyone else think? Is it nice to get somewhat of a pat on the back for something provided on your behalf of the better good?

[homesight]

I would not be opposed to having forum members submit their own tutorials to laughingbird for consideration. Maybe on an issue they had trouble overcoming, but finally figured it out. I think the main functionality of laughingbird needs to be left to us to demonstrate. But other than that, great idea and recommendation.

Any forum members have some insight or tutorials they'd like to see.

-HomeSight

[jayf1965]

HOMESIGHT:

I think it all comes together, technical and sucess? Sorry if I may have taken your reply the wrong way, but I just feel it's a support thing as well. If not the it's time to try alternate software..? That supprotrs it's products...

[Wicked]

Well it is a hard strain on a small volunteer staff of mods to do all of the demonstrating... What a forum is all about is the members sharing and trading information essentially.. I don't think there is any problem with other motivated individuals who are regular members to lead the way into helping others with their success in learning and achieving. Otherwise it will just be a lot of people showing up here holding a constant pressure on the volunteer staff to produce additional material.. Its possible I am misunderstanding your because believe me it happens.. I just feel that everyone will benefit more and the production will be much larger the more people who have some sort of motivation to put in the extra effort to provide information to others. This way no one group or individual is under any sort of community pressure to achieve something.. Just when someone does perhaps the community needs to know of their achievements... As well I guess what I am missing is what you are referring to when you say main functionality?

[jayf1965]

Thats ok then never mind I'll just upgrade my software.. Just don't know to what yet, I'm sure there's plenty out there?

Thanks wicid for your help..
Good luck to ya guys...

[Wicked]

Thats ok then never mind I'll just upgrade my software.. Just don't know to what yet, I'm sure there's plenty out there?

Thanks wicid for your help..
Good luck to ya guys...

Jay is it possible that you thought you were posting your comments in this thread?

http://www.logodesignforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=50721#post50721

[homesight]

Did you post your comment to the right place? Seems odd to be in this thread.

-HomeSight

[Lamo1graphic]

i think that we should show the functionality of the laughing bird software and the cross platform sharing that can be used with adobe,coral,realdraw,etc
this will enable the people using the forum to achieve greater use of the software and produce more graphical content in there logo`s
the benefit of this would be a greater bank of images in our arsenal and we could all start to share our knowledge with the new peeps joining the forum

i feel this would help them in making and the use of laughing bird products to the inexperienced users

which must be better for us all ,we see so many people joining the forum and they believe that over night they can make logos

well we all know that this a great big learning curve,i think by doing this we can take away some of the learning curve that they will have to go through and they will stay around a lot longer with us here!!!!!!!

we often see new guys and girls struggling to do stuff with various tutorials we can help them a lot more

ok i am of my soap box now:image24:

[JWKessler]

One thing I'll toss out on the topic of creating tutorials is that I have found one of the best ways to learn a topic really well is to teach it. It sounds strange, but teaching something forces you to think about it in ways you normally wouldn't just doing a task. Of course you need to start with a some basic understanding of the subject material, but after you finish creating a tutorial you will have mastered it.

[Wicked]

One thing I'll toss out on the topic of creating tutorials is that I have found one of the best ways to learn a topic really well is to teach it. It sounds strange, but teaching something forces you to think about it in ways you normally wouldn't just doing a task. Of course you need to start with a some basic understanding of the subject material, but after you finish creating a tutorial you will have mastered it.

A respectful 2nd post if I would say so myself.. Its always nice to see someone offer something insightful right from the get go when becoming a part of an established community of knowledgeable people. Well said and I hope someone will take that advise into consideration. I believe this statement could and does apply to all of us regardless of how knowledgeable we might already be about something..

[Ohiosweetie]

So has this new forum happened yet??

[Lats]

The forum owner will make the appropriate announcement when the task is completed.

[laughingbird]

It's almost ready everybody!

I'm finishing things up and will announce this shortly.
I want to get it up and running (at least as a beta site) before we hit our 14,000th member!


Marc

[Ohiosweetie]

The forum owner will make the appropriate announcement when the task is completed.lol thanks. I kinda figured so, but since I haven't been here in quite a while, I didn't want to miss anything, so thought I'd ask.

:image05:

[Wicked]

lol thanks. I kinda figured so, but since I haven't been here in quite a while, I didn't want to miss anything, so thought I'd ask.

:image05:

Not a problem Ohiosweetie I'm glad we have people excited about this whole transformation. Always ask if you feel left in the dark about anything which you did so good on you and hope to see you around the new development of everything..